The Yellowstone River runs through beautiful country. Forests and canyons beckon everyone who invites this river to reconnect to a simpler time, a time when Native Americans proudly hunted across the land, warriors painted upon mustangs. This isolated stream is fun, exciting, and always forgiving. It is a gem of the Uinta wilderness in Utah. That is right, we are not talking about that Yellowstone!Getting to the Yellowstone is going to be a bouncy, ill-ridden ride but it will be worth every minute of each bone-jarring bump. From Duchesne, head North on Highway 87 for about 15 miles. While on that road, if you need a bite to eat stop at Pinn Willies, a nice mom and pops place that you will want to stop at for dinner as well. Just up the hill from Falcon's Ledge will be a left hand turn onto 21000 West. If you need any last items there is a small store in Mountain Home. Follow 21000 West until you get to 7500 North, at 7500 North you will have to make a left or right, make a right turn which will put you on 20780 West. Soon after the right turn will be a curve in the road that heads North, take the curve instead of driving into someone's driveway. You'll stay on 20780 for about 10 miles during which you'll enter the Uinta and Ouray Indian Reservation, you will turn right and cross a single lane bridge, and about a quarter mile passed their will make a left onto Yellowstone Road. Follow Yellowstone Road through the rest of the Indian Reservation until you get onto the Ashley National Forest. The road continues until the confluence of Swift Creek with Yellowstone Creek, at which point there is a campground and coral for horse and other livestock.The Yellowstone travels through both Tribal land and through public lands administered through the Forest Service. There are places to fish the Yellowstone on Tribal lands, but if you are not a member of the tribe you cannot fish or really do anything except drive along roadways. Getting a Tribal Permit is possible, the store in Mountain Home is one such place to purchase them. Once you get onto the Forest, though, access to the river is completely free. There are four campgrounds along the river which have various fees attached to staying in them. All of the campgrounds have pit toilets are numerous camping sites. Also, a person is able to camp in non-designated campgrounds for free. You will know when youâ€™re on the Forest compared to the reservation due to the improvement in the road once you cross onto the Forest.

You will find promising fishing anywhere along the river. The stream itself is a gentle freestone stream in the middle of an aspen and pine forest. Short riffles lead to long pools, gentle rock dams create small waterfalls along the entire length of the river. Mule deer and elk use the stream as a water source, you will be lucky to spot them before they spot you however. There is evidence along the bank that there is a beaver population, however a beaver dam or lodge is few and far between along the stream.Nothing bigger than a 3 wt rod should be used on the Yellowstone. It's a small, â€œsouth slopeâ€ stream that can't be more than 20 feet across on average. We use our 7'6" on this river and have never needed anything bigger, in fact, bigger would just get in the way. There are most definitely monsters hiding out in some of the pools, don't doubt that, but the average fish is somewhere in the 6-10" range. Don't let their diminutive size be a turn off though, they are fun and greedy. The Yellowstone offers a Wild Trout Grand Slam: Brook, Brown, Cutthroat, and Rainbow, it's difficult but not impossible. It will be the Browns that keep you from getting the title. These fish hole up in pocket water as well as a fair number in the larger pools.As has been mentioned, these fish can be forgiving. The first time that this river was fished, we found a hole that seemed promising, the two of us had on an X-Caddis and an Elk Hair Caddis, within minutes we had landed three fish, two Brookies and a Cuttie. There was not an active hatch happening, even though there were caddis and mayflies in the air. However, later in the day, the same fish repetitively looked at our flies and refused to take. These fish can be as finicky as they are forgiving, be prepared for both. Carry a standard arrangement of Caddis, Mayfly, and Stonefly imitations and you'll have the basics covered.If you want to get away and back to nature, the Yellowstone is a great place for that. The Yellowstone offers exactly what every fly-fisherman needs, an escape from the world around them, a place to reconnect to our most primal nature, to reconnect to our birthright. As always, Good Luck and Guid Luck!!

The Strawberry River runs through the Uinta Mountains. It is a beautiful river that runs through many miles of mountains and fields. Like the Provo River, the Strawberry has been divided into three different sections. The Upper section starts high in the Uintas and flows into Strawberry Reservoir, the Middle section flows from Strawberry Reservoir to Starvation Reservoir, and the Lower section flows from Starvation Reservoir to its confluence with the Duchesne River from which point the waterway is known as the Duchesne River. Once again, each section is unique in its flora and fauna and the methods to have a productive day of fishing, we’ll focus on each section in separate fishing reports. We’ll start here with the Upper section of the Strawberry River. The Upper section of the Strawberry River is a beautiful stream that runs through high mountain meadows as it flows to Strawberry Reservoir It’s meandering course has developed many pockets that hold fish. Getting to the river is easy, but might take some walking through sagebrush covered fields before getting to the actual river. Once there, be prepared for small distance casting with deep pools created by beaver dams. To get to the Upper Strawberry leave Heber City and head Southeast on Highway 40 through Daniels Canyon. Once you crest the summit that you enter the Strawberry Valley. This high mountain valley is a large wetland due to the Reservoir and the various feeder streams that feed that waterbody. There are hundreds of feeder streams that both feed into the Strawberry River and its reservoir, all of which contain fish and every fisherman should lead an encounter on each of those streams. The river is closed between May and July for spawning trout from the Reservoir. Please check current regulations for the exact dates and boundaries that the river is closed.

Depending on where you fish this section, the river will invite you to travel through various environments to get to its banks. From aspen forest on the hillside that the river descends down to fields that you’ve got to stumble over the sagebrush, it travels through a wide expanse of habitats, the force that give each one life. From muleys to moose, you are likely to stumble across many animals that call the waterway home. Beaver have dammed off many sections of the river, creating small ponds and ephemeral arteries in the stream as it courses along its path. Along most of the river you’ll battle against willows that tend to grow about a foot taller than the average adult man. Be prepared to have welt marks along your lower legs and arms while you travel along the river. We like to fish our 7’6” 3 wt on this section of the river. It’s a small creek that at it’s widest point is probably no more than 15 feet across and in a lot of areas you will be perfecting your bow-n-arrow cast. A shorter leader can also be used on these low pressured fish, as well, a thicker tippet can be used. Due to all of these factors, the upper section is a great place for a beginner fly-fisherman to learn more technical techniques. As with most small streams, there are fish in most pocket water, however, there are not many and their average size is generally a little more than a hand’s breadth in length. Don’t be coming to the Upper Strawberry looking for the monsters that you’ll find in the Provo. Some do lurk there but they’re closer to the reservoir. You’ll find Browns, Rainbows, and Cutthroats in the river. Once again, read the regulations for this stretch of the river, you may have to release any and all fish that have cutthroat markings.

Standard midge, mayfly, and caddis patterns work well. This freestone stream is also home to major aquatic vegetation which a large population of scuds calling that vegetation home. If things aren’t hitting subsurface tie on a scud and call it good. Once the stream re-opens in the middle of summer, try a wide array of terrestrials. These small fish have a large appetite. This river is a lot of fun to fish. It’s close to civilization, right at Daniel’s Summit is a lodge that you can stop and get an ice-cream if it’s a hot day, yet you’ll feel like you left everything behind as you skip a fly across this integral waterway. As always, Good Luck and Guid Luck!

In the Southeast corner of Salt Lake Valley is Big Cottonwood Canyon. Quickly utilized by the pioneers when they entered the valley, it has since been a favorite destination for people looking to get out of the city and back to nature. Some of those same people choose to do a little fly fishing while they’re getting away.Big Cottonwood Creek begins its flow at its headwaters near Brighton Ski Resort. Multiple high mountain lakes contribute to the flow of the creek, including, Silver Lake, Twin Lakes Reservoir, Lake Mary, Lake Martha, Lake Catherine, and Dog Lake. From its source to its confluence with the Jordan River the creek flows for nearly 28 miles and drops in elevation from 9,600 feet to 4, 250 feet, nearly a mile. The prime spots for fishing though is going to be in the canyon.

Getting to Big Cottonwood Canyon is fairly simple, follow the signs for the ski resorts. You’ll want to take I-215 towards the East Bench, or South if you’re already on the East Bench. Take the 6100 South Exit, #6, and head South, make sure that you don’t take the right-most turn lane as that is a forced turn that takes you through the business district of Cottonwood Heights, but you can still get to the Big Cottonwood Canyon from there (just follow the signs for the ski resorts). After about 2 miles you’ll come to a stop light with a 7-11 convenience store at the corner, turn left at this intersection and you’ll be at the mouth of Big Cottonwood Canyon, and ready to fish.The creek follows pretty close to the road, with the exception of a few places, for the entirety of the drive up to Brighton Ski Resort. Fishing can be had in most stretches of the canyon. Pick a pull-out and begin, it is that simple. Some places the creek may be down a small incline from the pull-out, other times it might be a short walk across a small meadow, and in a few rare occasions you may have wished you brought your rock climbing gear instead. Regardless of where you fish in the canyon, be sure to pack your waders. The watershed is the primary water source for the Salt Lake Valley and you must wear waders whenever you get into the water.Big Cottonwood Canyon is beautiful in its domineering strength. Lined with cottonwoods, pines, willows and granite protrusions, it’s not as rugged as its sister canyon to the south, but don’t take that for granted. Big Cottonwood Creek has been known to take the life of careless recreational enthusiast. It cannot be emphasized enough that some of the stretches of the creek should be approached with extreme caution. This pristine example, though, of nature still reigning dominant over man is one reason this canyon is so popular with the teeming urbanites.

Along the creek there are numerous obstacles to overcome depending on where you choose to fish. In most stretches of the creek you’ll run into vegetation that makes it more than difficult to back cast and overhanging tree limbs make you wish you wouldn’t have tried to set the hook on the rock that grabbed your nymph. In other stretches it is narrow corridors of rock walls that make casting difficult. Along the meadow stretches the water runs so clear that the fish see you before you even see the creek through the willows. Regardless, if you choose to overcome these obstacles the fish will reward you, don’t be ashamed if you had to catch them while on your knees.For Big Cottonwood Creek we suggest taking a 7’6” 3 wt as your standard rod. Nothing longer because of the limited space that’s available for casting. There will be times, rare though they may be, that you will wish that you brought your 5 wt. Due to the rugged nature of the creek the fish may become monsters relative to their actual size. Though your average catch will likely be no more than 12” they will fight like they’re over 16”. You will more than likely take a wild Brown Trout but don’t be surprised if you get a Rainbow, Cutthroat, or Brook Trout, all of which call Big Cottonwood Creek home. Be prepared for fast takes and rugged runs from the majority of the fish, this is pocketwater fishing at its finest. In the meadow stretches though, the fish are a little bit more methodical to their approach, they’ll wait and if it’s not on the menu they won’t take it. Big Cottonwood Creek is a great creek to work on various styles of fishing, all on one waterway. In the pocketwater it’s more about presentation and making sure everything looks right and less about which fly you choose. In the meadows, the fish are a lot more finicky and you need to bring the right flies and the presentation needs to be absolutely perfect. Standard midge, mayfly, and caddis patterns work well, with the occasional stonefly. In the summer and fall try some terrestrials. Our most productive setup has been a hopper-dropper with a standard, generic nymph about 18” from the hopper.No more than thirty minutes from anywhere in the Salt Lake Valley, Big Cottonwood Creek is a welcomed reprieve from the bustle of the city. Even though the canyon itself is heavily used, you are more than likely the only fisherman that you’ll see. As always, Good Luck and Guid Luck!!

Hopefully you are aware, Currant Creek is our favorite fishing spot in the entirety of Utah. Currant Creek is a small tailwater that flows from Currant Creek Reservoir and converges with Red Creek before that converges with the Strawberry River and then flows into Starvation Reservoir. The majority of Currant Creek flows through private property, especially South of Highway 40. Either way, the best fishing is North of Highway 40, so don’t even concern yourself with getting permission from the Southern landowners. Even travelling North, the lower reaches occasionally travel through private property, be mindful of where you are fishing. The further that you travel, the less private property that you’ll encounter. To get to Currant Creek, travel East on Highway 40 from Heber City for about 40 miles, or West on Highway 40 from Duchesne for about 25 miles. The turn off is on the North side of the highway, if you’re heading East, it’s at the bottom of a hill and you will see a run-down, closed service station a little bit passed the turn. If you’re heading West, it’s just passed the run-down, closed service station. There will be signs marking the turn, but if you’re travelling East, the turn can come upon you with little notice. The stream follows pretty close to the road, with the exception of a few places, for the entire 14 mile drive to the dam of Currant Creek Reservoir. The first 8 miles, roughly, of the road is paved until you reach the Nation Forest and then it is a gravel road. If you continue passed the dam and around the reservoir you’ll find a Forest Service ran (read that as, contracted out) campground that has limited services. Also, you’ll find USFS roads that will lead you deeper into the Utah forests. There are many non-designated camps along the creek though if you don’t want to pay the Forest Service fees.

The landscape through the canyon is a striking example of the greater Utah ecosystem. The hillsides are lined with scrub oak and sagebrush, beckoning to the harsh, arid environment that the early pioneers found across the state. However, along the path of the creek is an oasis of lush, green vegetation. Willows line the bank and a small meadow of green grass spreads out from there for a small distance. It is this environment that kept the pioneers here! The dense vegetation along the bank can make it difficult for a lot of back casts and the smaller the rod, most of the time, the better. Our standard rod for Currant Creek is a 7’6” 3 wt that handles everything the creek is ready to throw at it. For Currant Creek, a 9’ 5 wt might just be overkill, and anything over that is definitely akin to taking a Spey rod on the Provo. The waters above Water Hollow is going to be the best fishing on the stream. Water Hollow meets up with Currant Creek about 4 miles up the road from the turn off from Highway 40. Interspersed between Water Hollow and the Reservoir are numerous beaver dams that many of the big fish call home. You’ll more than likely find wild browns with the occasionally stocked rainbow or native cutthroat in the creek, some reaching more than 16 inches. The fish here can be difficult to catch and each fish you catch is worthy of a picture, regardless of it’s size. Standard midge, mayfly, and caddis patterns work well. During the late summer and fall ants, hoppers, and beetles work wonders. Even though the fish can be finicky, if you can get in the middle of a hatch, you can pull six or seven fish from the same hole without putting the rest down.

While fishing, be prepared, and a bit cautious, you never know what you might run into. Moose call Currant Creek home and for being as large as they are, are more than capable of hiding in the willows until you stumble upon them. Mule deer and elk also call the canyon home and will more than likely dot the fields, meadows, and hillsides as you drive to each fishing hole. There is nothing like listening to a hen mallard quacking from a not too distant beaver pond while the sun begins to set to remind you why you chose the fly rod. With it’s definitive claim to solitude, Currant Creek should be a stream that everyone hits at least once a year. Even on the weekend it’s the adventurous fisherman who treks so many miles to possibly get skunked. As always, Good Luck and Guid Luck!